Some people planning to visit New Zealand have reportedly received fake letters from Immigration New Zealand (INZ) saying their approved visas have been denied.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A photo of one such fake letter was shared in a private Facebook group, New Zealand Travel Tips (NZTT), with the person asking if anyone else had received something similar. The letter, dated January 15, 2025, claimed the person’s visa approval from November 28, 2024, was revoked due to concerns raised during “post-decision assurance checks.”
The letter told the individual not to attempt traveling to New Zealand and warned that if they tried, they might be denied entry at the border. It also said they might be contacted for further information.
Others online have reported getting similar letters, where their approved visitor visas were suddenly canceled because of these supposed checks.
INZ’s national manager of risk and verification, Aaron Smith, confirmed the letter was a scam. He explained that while INZ does sometimes send out letters if concerns arise after a visa is granted, these checks are legitimate and done through official channels.
Smith explained that these checks could include document reviews, interviews, and consultations with various organizations, both local and international. However, if you receive a letter like the one shared online, it’s likely a scam.
To avoid falling for such scams, Smith emphasized using official links when applying for visas. Only INZ websites with “.immigration.govt.nz” at the end are official. He encouraged everyone to be cautious with links that may look similar to official ones but aren’t.
INZ also has a page dedicated to helping people spot and avoid scams. If you’re unsure whether you’ve received a genuine communication from INZ, Smith advises reaching out directly using the contact details found on their official website. Smith quoted Herald